Indelibly Stamped (1971) – Album by Supertramp
Introduction
Released in June 1971, Indelibly Stamped is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Supertramp. Following their experimental self-titled debut Supertramp (1970), the band shifted toward a more blues-rock oriented sound, while still maintaining elements of progressive rock.
Although the album did not achieve commercial success upon release, it represents an important early stage in the band's evolution. After its release, major lineup changes occurred, leaving only Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson to rebuild the group and eventually form the classic lineup that would record Crime of the Century.
Album Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Supertramp |
| Album | Indelibly Stamped |
| Release Date | June 1971 |
| Genre | Progressive Rock, Blues Rock |
| Label | A&M Records |
| Producer | Ken Scott |
| Length | 41:00 |
Tracklist
Side A
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Your Poppa Don't Mind
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Travelled
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Rosie Had Everything Planned
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Remember
Side B
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Forever
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Potter
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Coming Home to See You
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Times Have Changed
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Friend in Need
Album Credits
Band Members
Rick Davies
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Keyboards
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Harmonica
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Vocals
Roger Hodgson
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Guitar
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Bass
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Keyboards
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Vocals
Frank Farrell
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Bass
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Vocals
Kevin Currie
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Drums
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Percussion
Dave Winthrop
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Saxophone
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Flute
-
Vocals
Production
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Producer: Ken Scott
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Recording Studio: Morgan Studios, London
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Label: A&M Records
Producer Ken Scott later became famous for his work with artists such as David Bowie, The Beatles, and Elton John.
Cover Art
The cover artwork of Indelibly Stamped became one of the most controversial album covers of the early 1970s.
It features a close-up photograph of a woman’s tattooed torso, with the tattoo reading “Indelibly Stamped.” The image was considered provocative at the time and caused some record stores to refuse to display the album openly.
Unlike the abstract cover of Supertramp, this artwork was designed to be bold and attention-grabbing, though it did little to improve the album’s commercial performance.
Musical Style
Compared to the band’s debut, Indelibly Stamped features a more straightforward rock sound.
Musical elements include:
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blues-influenced piano by Rick Davies
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melodic acoustic guitar from Roger Hodgson
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saxophone and flute arrangements
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longer progressive compositions
Songs like “Travelled” showcase extended instrumental sections, while tracks such as “Your Poppa Don't Mind” lean more toward rock and rhythm & blues influences.
Fun Facts
🎸 The Last Album Before a Major Reset
After the album failed commercially, most of the band members left, leaving only Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson.
🎸 A Different Sound
The album contains more blues and jam-style tracks compared to the progressive atmosphere of the debut.
🎸 Early Saxophone Use
The presence of saxophone and flute foreshadowed the later addition of John Helliwell, whose saxophone became a defining part of Supertramp’s sound.
Trivia
• The album reportedly sold very poorly, leading A&M Records to temporarily lose confidence in the band.
• After the album’s release, the band stopped touring for a period, which allowed Davies and Hodgson to rethink the group’s direction.
• Several members left due to financial difficulties and the lack of success.
• The band would not release another album for three years, until the breakthrough Crime of the Century in 1974.
Did You Know?
💡 The album’s controversial cover often caused it to be placed in protective sleeves in record stores.
💡 Producer Ken Scott also worked on the legendary The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie.
💡 Some progressive rock collectors consider Indelibly Stamped a rare curiosity in Supertramp’s discography because its style differs so much from their later sound.
💡 The commercial failure of this album indirectly led to the creation of the classic Supertramp lineup, which later produced some of the band’s biggest hits.
Download Supertramp Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Supertramp - Supertramp (1970)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (1974)
Supertramp - Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)
Supertramp - Even in the Quietest Moments (1977)
Supertramp - Breakfast in America (1979)
Supertramp - Some Things Never Change (1997)
